Electrical connection means



c. s. FimH-OLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MEANS July 22, 14,941.

original Fild Feb. 3, 1938 i naar attesti resteraient. connect-rcs means Charles S. Benfeld, Bronson, Meh., assigner te H. d. licugas Mig. Qc., Bronson, Mich, a corporation of Michigan ontinnation et applieatien Serial No. 18%,43

February 3, 1938. 'lihis appiicatien Becernber 5, i939, Serial No. 302ml s claims. (ci. zee-rss) This invention relates generally to electrical l switches and more particularly to electrical connection means whereby a plug conductor terminal of the snap type secured to a conductor may he detachably connected to the switch in a predetermined position for engagement with the bridge means of the switching mechanism.

This application is a continuation of myf'appiication Serial' 188,431, led February More specifically the invention is directed over, it is te be undersmcd that it is immaterial s if the bridge member is reciprocable, rotatable,

Vor otherwise movable within the switch casing.'

It is also immaterial as to whether or not 'a spring such as' 5 is placed underA the carrier, as shown. or a suitable spring is arranged between the carrier and the bridge member.

A switchbaclr generally designated 'i is secured to theopen extremity-of the switch casing and provides a cover therefor. The switchback may be secured to the casing in any suitable manto a. switchbacls provided with an aperture.

Other objects and advantages ofthe invention;

will be apparent after reading the description hereinafter set forth in connection with the drawing annexed hereto.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure l is a top view of a switch;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on line z -2 of Figure l, and clearly shows the majority of details of construction; Figure is a section taken-substantially on line 3-3 of Figure 2 with the plug conductor terminals omitted, and shows more in detail the' construction of the detent means which are employed to retain the plug conductor terminals in a predetermined position with respect to the switchback, and

Figure 4 is a section of a part of a-modiiied construction showing detentA means assembled with a switchback in a different manner, y

Referring to the drawing,'I represents a metallic switch case. A bridge member 2, 'in the form of a plate, and mounted on a carriera` of insulating material, is arranged for reciprocatlon within the casing through the agency of the switch handle l. f As clearly shown, 'the bridge member and' its carrier is resiliently supported in the casing by means of a spring member l which is preferably secured to the .carrier. The spring member 5 is preferably provided with resilient tongue portions 6, the convex portions of which slidably engage the bottom wall of the casing when the bridge member is reciprocated. It is-to be understood that the switching mechanism shown, which includes the bridge member 2, its carrier 3, spring mem--l ber 5, and handle 4, is merely illustrative'and may assume other shapes. and arrangements. Morener, but as here shown, the casing is preferably provided with a plurality of integral fingers 9 which are adapted to project within notches provided in the switchbscl: and are clinched over and against the outer face of the switchback. L l f The switchback is preferably constructed of a plurality of superimposed sheets or members of insulating material. The outer members I0 and II are preferably of a 'greater thickness than the innermost member It', but if so desired, all three members may be of the same thickness. Preferably, the complet/e thickness of the switchback, whether made up of a single member or a plurality' of members Vof insulating material should be of a suflicient thickness whereby to prevent tilting of the plug conductor terminals which project through `the switchback. The

outer member III is provided with a pair of spaced apart circular apertures I3, and\ the outer member II with a pair of spaced apart circular apertures Il which are of the same diameter as apertures I3,r and cooperate with the apertures apertures I3 and I4. Anysuitsblemeans may be provided whereby to hold the plug conductor terminals in relationto the switchback so that the terminals may directly engage the bridge member 2, but as here shown, detent means I8 is arranged in each of the apertures I5. Each of the detent means I8 is preferably made of spring wire formed to provide a pair of comple- Y I mentary coacting circular portions I1 connected together by an offset biglit portion IB. The bight portion I8 functions toV improve the resilient action of the detent means and promotes its durability; or in other words, serves to eliminate the possibility of thedetent means from taking a set, which' would obviously destroy its eifectofholding the plug conductor terminal in place. As clearly shown, each of the apertures IS adjacent the portions I1 is of such a character that clearance is provided for the expansion of the portions I'I a predetermined extent whenever a plug conductor terminal is inserted into place.

The parallel portions I9 forming the bight I8 of each of the detent means will be eifected to insure a proper grip upon the terminals whenever the portions I1 are expanded to the extent anticipated. A

The plug conductor terminals 20, are preferablypermanently joined to electrical conductors 2I by swaging, as indicated at 22. Each of the plug conductor terminals is preferably provided with a V-shaped groove 23 which is adapted to receive the coacting portions I1 of the detent means I6. and the arrangement is such that the terminals' are held in a predetermined position in order that the conical contact 24 of each terminal projects beyond the outer member' II of the switchback to be engaged by the bridge member 2.

It is to be understood that the 'tongue portions 8 of the spring 5 are of .such a character "that the bridge member and its carrier will be urged in a direction toward the plug conductor terminals 20, and that the spring is not ofsuiiicient resiliency to unseat the plug conductor terminals; or in other words, overcome the holding action created by the detent means I6.

Referring to the modied construction in Figure 4, the switchback is shown as being comprised oi' two members 50 and 5I of insulating material. Each member is provided with a recess 52 and an aperture 53. Recesses 52 are complementary to each other and register to provide a pocket for the detent means 54, and of course, the apertures 53 register to provide a terminal receiving aperture. This construction may be desirable in some instances.

In view of the foregoing, it will be evident that improved means areprovided whereby a direct connection may be made between plug conductor terminals and a bridge lmember of a switch mechanism. It will also be evident that the plug conductor terminals in themselves provide contacts, and that the use of contacts either permanently or detachably connected to a switchback, which are now in. commercial use. are avoided. Furthermore, such an arrangement is far more economical to manufacture than the present types of electrical connections now in use, and particularly those of the type where a plug conductor terminal is snapped into electrical connection means forming a contact on the switchback. z

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modiiications may wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts hereinshown and described.

I claim: l Y l. A switchback comprised of a plurality of superimposed members, an aperture provided in detent means` arranged entirely' within the aperture provided g in said intermediate member, a

plug conductor terminal of the snap type projecting through said apertures with the detent me'ans .functioning to retain said terminal in a predetermined position with its forward end extending beyond one of the outer members.

2. An electric switch including in combination, a casing, a movable bridge member arranged in said casing, a piece of insulation carried by said casing,.terminal receiving apertures provided in said insulation, terminalsarranged in said apertures, abutment means provided on said terminals, separate snap connection means carried by said insulation encompassing and cooperating with said abutment means for holding a plug conductor terminal of the snap type in each aperture whereby the forward end of each terminal will directly engage said movable member when the latter is moved to a predetermined position.

3. An electric switch including in combination, a casing vproviding a chamber, a movable bridge member arranged in said chamber, a piece of insulation carried by said casing, terminal receiving apertures provided in said insulation, plug conductors of the snap type individually arranged in said apertures, separate resilient means carried by said insulation and located exteriorly oi said chamber within the border of the insulation for independently encompassing and resiliently holding said plug conductor terminals whereby their forward ends are directly in engagement with said movable bridge member when the latter is moved to a predetermined position within said chamber, and means'on said terminals cooperating with said separate resilient means for limiting the inward movement of said terminals when same are being independently plugged in said apertures.

4. An electrical switch including in combination, a casing, a, movable bridge member arranged in said casing, a piece of insulation carried by said casing, terminal receiving apertures provided' in said insulation, conductor wires having plug conductor terminals secured thereto, said terminals being adapted to be individually plugged into said apertures arranged in said apertures, cooperating means provided on said terminals, separate connection means for each terminal carried by said insulation substantially encompassing each terminal and engaging each cooperating means for holding each terminal in a predetermined position in its aperture whereby the forward end of each terminal will be held to directly engage said movable bridge member when the latter is moved to a predetermined position.

5. An electrical switch 'including in combination, a casing providing .a chamber, a movable bridge member arranged in said chamber, a piece of insulation carried by said casing, terminal receiving apertures provided in said insulation, plug conductors of the. snap type individually arranged 4in said apertures, separate means car'- ried by said insulation and located exteriorly of` said chamber and substantially within the border of the insulation for independently receiving said plug conductor terminals, each of said terminals having a contact provided adjacent its inner end, each of said separate means being designed to hold the contact end of each terminal for engagement with said movable bridge member when the latter. is moved to a' predetermined position within said chamber, and means on each oi' said terminals set back from said-contact and cooperating with said separate means for predeterminating the specic location oi' each terminal axially within an aperture when the terminal is plugged therein.

CHARLES S. PENFOLD. 

